Betway SA20 celebrates Youth Day by shining spotlight on talented youth

As South Africa celebrates Youth Day on June 16, Betway SA20 is proud to highlight the talented young men and women who have played a role behind the scenes of the successful third season.

The League has been a launching pad for emerging talent both on and off the field, giving the next generation a platform and an opportunity to showcase their skills.

In Season 3, the League undertook a learnership programme for young industry talent to work and gain experience as part of the competition’s delivery team on the ground.

These recipients included learners from the Laureus YES (Youth Employment in Sport) programme and an in-take in the Photography, Cricket Operations and Social Media and Digital departments.

These young stars represent a diverse collection of backgrounds and ambitions, united by a common passion for cricket and its impact on society.

"I had an incredible experience at the SA20, it was one that I would definitely call one for the books,” Photography student, Kutloano Maseko said. “From the very first match, I was both excited and challenged, as I was still finding my way in the world of sports photography. The initial struggle came from not knowing all the ins and outs of the field, but after receiving valuable tips and advice from the experienced Sportzpics team, everything started to flow smoothly. Overall, I had an absolute blast at the SA20 League, and if it were up to me, I would do this every year.” Incredibly, Maseko showed so much promise, he went on to cover the Schools SA20 Finals as one of the official photographers.

Wanderers Venue Assistant, Dineo Mamabolo, said: "The most exciting part about the opportunity to be part of Season 3 of SA20 is because firstly, I’m a huge cricket fan and secondly, all the questions that I had about what goes on during a match day got answered. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity, I learned so much about what it takes to put on a cricket match.”

The SA20 players and coaches also played an important role in inspiring the next generation. During the competition, Sunrisers Eastern Cape spent the afternoon with young girls and boys from Gelvandale Primary School in Port Elizabeth to share some of the SA20 magic with the community. ​ The visit, managed by United Through Sport and organized by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in partnership with the League, was aimed at using sport as a tool to holistically develop children and youth in disadvantaged communities. ​ 

"We are here today to show our support and give encouragement to the kids involved in this programme,” Sunrisers Eastern Cape Coach, Adrian Birrell said during the visit. “It’s important to recognize how beneficial programmes like these are. I’m incredibly impressed with how the visit went, there were so many dedicated coaches who were engaged and involved in teaching the kids. It's wonderful to see, I believe it's very important for the future of our country and our team," he said.

The focus on empowering and giving opportunities to rising stars has allowed the SA20 to also grow its network of resources, further contributing to the overall eco-system of the South African sport industry. As the League begins its preparation for Season 4 starting on 26 December, planning is underway to make it another impactful season both on and off the field.